Saffron Burrows Set to Play Jackie Kennedy in One-Woman Show at The Wallis

'Jackie Unveiled,' directed by Jenny Sullivan from a script by Tom Dugan, is set to run Feb. 22-March 11.

Jeanne Tripplehorn, Katie Holmes, Minka Kelly, Ginnifer Goodwin and Natalie Portman are just a few actresses who have stepped into the shoes of former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Now it's Saffron Burrows' turn.

The England-born star has boarded Jackie Unveiled from playwright Tom Dugan, a one-woman show that will have its world premiere in 2018 in the Lovelace Studio Theater at The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills. Jenny Sullivan is directing the play, scheduled to run Feb. 22-March 11, a run made possible by support from David C. Bohnett. Wallis artistic director Paul Crewes said the project is "full of surprises."

“The Wallis is home for L.A.-based artists and work, and Jackie Unveiled is no exception,” said Crewes. “We are very proud and pleased to support and produce a piece of drama from L.A. resident Tom Dugan, who has been a part of The Wallis community for a number of years now, since his production of Wiesenthal was presented on our stage. We are also thrilled to work alongside an L.A.-based creative team led by Jenny Sullivan. I am particularly pleased to welcome fellow ex-pat Saffron Burrows, to present her wonderful interpretation of Jackie Kennedy Onassis."

Dugan said that he spent five years doing research for Jackie Unveiled, but that he has been familiar with what an icon she was since his childhood. “Growing up in the 1960s, I had an affinity for that pretty lady my mom admired so much on the TV who had so many troubles but still managed to appear strong,” said Dugan. “I interviewed several of Jackie’s friends and acquaintances, combed over recently released CIA and Secret Service records, read dozens of award-winning biographies and watched countless hours of documentaries. But, at the end of the day when it comes to Jackie Kennedy Onassis’ personal life — who knows what happened in the privacy of her own home?"

As for Sullivan, she said she couldn't turn down the opportunity to work with Dugan on a project about the former first lady, a move that reteams her with her Wiesenthal collaborator. “I was introduced to politics as my dad actively campaigned for JFK," said Sullivan. "In the early ‘60s, I literally — quite by accident — sat behind the President at the Good Shepherd Church just a few blocks from The Wallis. When I had the great fortune to vote for the first time in my life, I cast my ballot for [Robert F. Kennedy]. Working on this play has definitely brought back the emotions of tumultuous times and a chance to revisit it all from a new perspective."

Burrows will soon be seen on the fourth season of Amazon's Mozart in the Jungle, which is set to premiere Feb. 16. More information about Jackie Unveiled and about other productions at The Walls can be found here.